short takes (2)

October 16, 1980

By David Steritt

But what about Michael Ritchie? Has he left the world of serious filmmaking? It would be a pity, because the maker of "Smile" and "Semi-Tough" has so much talent. Last summer, though, he gave us "The Island," a bit of violent garbage with almost no redeeming features. And now it's Divine Madness, an undistinguished record of a Bette Midler concert. On scree, Miss Midler is always loud, frequently foul-mouthed, and only occasionally amusing. The movie itself is routine, except for an amusing bit of parody during the first three minutes. Neither Miss Midler, Mr. Ritchie, nor the current movie scene is well served here.

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